Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Chapter 43

RAVEL

(PRESENT TIME)

As I stepped foot in Seattle, my heart couldn’t help but be consumed by thoughts of Hazel. With the upcoming exhibition in mind, I was inspired to find the perfect dress for her. Craftily, I decided to send it along with an invitation to the event, creating the perfect excuse to surprise her.

Anxious to witness her reaction, I hurriedly made my way to her office upon arrival. However, a part of me was relieved to learn that she wasn’t there at that moment. I knew Hazel well enough to anticipate her potential rejection, and I didn’t want to risk experiencing it firsthand. I politely declined the suggestion to wait for her from her secretary, fearing the disappointment she might express.

In the midst of my thoughts, both Raymond and Rose unexpectedly entered my hotel suite, almost in perfect unison. Raymond, being the first to break the silence. “Elenor is scheduled to arrive in Seattle on Thursday, just in time for the event on Saturday.”

Raising an amused eyebrow, I couldn’t help but find it amusing that Raymond felt the need to update me about my own sister’s arrival. “Well, it’s good to know, but I’m more concerned about the security arrangements for the event,” I reminded him.

He quickly acknowledged my point, settling comfortably on the sofa. “No worries, I’ve already arranged for twenty security personnel. You’ll be able to meet them on Thursday,” he assured me.

Shifting my attention to Rose, I was eager to know why she was in my suite. Without hesitation, she responded to my unspoken question, “I just came back from the venue, and all the extra lighting has been taken care of.” Her reassuring words eased my mind, knowing that everything was coming together smoothly for the event.

That’s good. “I want everything to be perfect.” I remarked, recalling the impact of the recent emergency conference on the – invitee response rate. “And please, make sure to number the seats for the event,” I reminded Rose.

After she left, I was about to immerse myself in my work again when Raymond’s snickering caught my attention. Intrigued, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow inquisitively.

His laughter continued, and he finally looked up from his phone. “Mrs. Anne has been trying to reach you,” he said, and I blinked, realizing that I had intentionally ignored her calls. “She’s curious about the hotel you’re staying at so she can book a suite there too,” he explained.

I stared at him with intense determination, a warning burning in my eyes. “Don’t you even think about it.” He merely chuckled, carelessly tossing his phone onto the sofa. “I’m sure she’s just staying here to make sure Hazel doesn’t come over.”

He tried to suppress a smile, biting his lower lip. “Knowing your mother, she’ll undoubtedly find out which hotel you’re staying at. Da mn, he was right. “So, did you meet her?”

I played innocent, feigning ignorance. “Meet who?”

Raymond rolled his eyes, his confidence unwavering. “Come on, I’m your personal security. I always know where you are.” My lips remained tightly sealed. “I saw you pick up a dress from a Versace store, and I know you visited Hazel’s art gallery. All I want to know is if you met her.”

“No, I didn’t,” I replied flatly, my focus returning to the laptop. “And for future reference, when I tell you not to follow me, make da mn sure your foolish self isn’t tailing me.”

He argued, “I can’t guarantee that, sir. It’s my duty to keep you safe, and that’s what I’m trying to do.

Besides, you have an enemy, in case you haven’t noticed.”

The memory was hard to shake off. With a sigh, I eased back on the sofa, my gaze drifting to the glimmering chandelier. “Last week, I invited Hazel to dinner at a restaurant, and she actually showed up.”

Chapter 43

Raymond blinked rapidly, clearly surprised. “Hazel flew all the way from Seattle to New York just for a dinner date with you.”

I interjected with a hint of pride, “Well, I sent the jet to make it happen.”

Raymond shook his head in disbelief. “I turn away for a moment, and you pull off something as extravagant as sending a jet to fetch Hazel from Seattle.” He knew how I couldn’t resist doing things for her. “But have you considered the risk? What if that ba stard finds out? You took a significant gamble.”

Running my fingers through my hair, I attempted to push away thoughts of the awkward attempted kiss from me. “Something did happen at the diner, right?” Raymond’s sudden question snapped my attention back to the present. I lifted my head from the sofa, blinking at him in response. “Of course,” he mumbled under his breath. “What did you do?”

With a hint of embarrassment, I confessed, “I tried to kiss her, and she slapped me.” Raymond burst into laughter, and I couldn’t help but admit, “Yeah, go ahead and laugh, I deserve it.” The more I replayed the moment in my head, the more I realized just how foolish and impulsive my actions were.

After our divorce, she offered an olive branch, and I foolishly tried to take it a step further with a kiss.

“No offense, Ravel, but if I were in her shoes, I might have done more than just slap you,” Raymond said, wiping tears from his lashes. “What were you even thinking, man?”

“F uck if I know,” I admitted, feeling drained and unable to focus on work any longer. I shut down the laptop, kicked off my slippers, and sprawled out on the sofa.

Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Raymond inquired, “Have you talked to her since then?”

I lisped, “Nope.”

“And you don’t think she’ll accept that invitation, do you?”

“I’ll be surprised if she does.” I couldn’t continue like this, it was tearing me apart. “Raymond…”

“Hmm?” he responded, attentive to my distress.

“I’m considering going after Hazel,” I confessed, even without glancing at him, knowing his brows were probably reaching his hairline. “I want my wife back. I want my marriage back.”

“You’ll get all of that back,” he reasoned, “but it’s not the right time for it now.”

I couldn’t care less about the right time anymore. “She’s slipping away from me, Raymond,” I admitted, feeling the weight of the situation. “I saw how repulsed she was when I tried to kiss her. My Hazel is slowly slipping away, and if I don’t act quickly, I’ll lose her forever.”

Raymond brought up an important point, “And what about the video? Have you forgotten about its existence? The very reason you divorced her in the first place?”

“When I married Hazel,” I began, my voice h oa rse with emotion, “I had dreams of building a life with her. I wanted to witness her carrying our children, to have a family together, but circumstances forced me to let her go after just two years of marriage.”

Raymond let out a dejected sigh. “So, what’s your plan?” he asked, but answered it himself. “To go after her without caring about the consequences.”

“I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do,” I admitted, “but one thing is certain: I can’t stay away from her any longer.” As my phone chimed on the table, I reached for it and opened the message icon. After reading the text, my brows furrowed into a frown.

Raymond asked, concerned, “What’s the problem?”

My jaw clenched in frustration. “The ba stard wants me to bring June to Seattle for the exhibition.”

Raymond cursed aloud, understanding the predicament. “So what are you going to do?”

Chapter 43

I sighed heavily, resigned to the decision. What else can I do? I’ll send the jet to get her?